The inaugural Esports World Cup has concluded in Riyadh, marking a historic milestone in the global esports landscape. Over an electrifying eight-week period, the event drew together over 500 teams and 1,500 professional players from around the world, competing across 21 games for a staggering US$60 million prize pool, making it the largest event in esports history.
This extraordinary event, held in Riyadh, not only established new records in terms of participation and viewership but also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global gaming and esports industry. The Esports World Cup attracted more than two million visitors to Riyadh, a 29% increase in visitors compared to the same period last year. The event also achieved over 500 million viewers worldwide, totaling more than 250 million hours watched, setting a new benchmark for esports events globally.
In a proud moment for the Kingdom, HRH the Crown Prince crowned the Saudi club “Team Falcons” as champions of the Esports World Cup 2024. The Falcons secured a total of $7 million in prize money, emerging as the top club in this historic competition.
Team Falcons, demonstrating exceptional skill and strategy, secured victories in both the “Call of Duty: Warzone” and “Free Fire” championships, amassing 5,665 points across 12 tournaments. Their triumph earned them $7 million in prize money, underscoring the Kingdom’s exceptional national talent and its commitment to fostering a thriving esports sector.
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, expressed immense pride in the success of the event, stating, “The Esports World Cup has underscored the transformative impact of esports and the pivotal role that this incomparable industry now plays in cultures and societies all around the world – its inclusive and empowering nature is something truly unique. For eight successive weeks, this unparalleled event has brought the entire international gaming community together like never before – inviting all to participate in this milestone moment in esports history. We could not be more delighted with what’s transpired this summer – it’s a historic moment in time that Saudi Arabia and the world will always remember fondly.”
The event’s success is closely aligned with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and establish it as a global hub for gaming and esports. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched in September 2022 by HRH the Crown Prince, aims to position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of this rapidly growing industry by 2030. The Esports World Cup, along with the recently announced Olympic Esports Games set to take place in 2025, marks significant progress toward realizing this ambitious goal.
The event also featured a range of entertainment and cultural activities, with more than 32 side events contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. Beyond the gaming arena, attendees experienced the cultural richness of Saudi Arabia, further enhancing Riyadh’s appeal as a top-tier tourist destination.
As Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, noted, “The Esports World Cup has been an incredible success in year one, driving global esports to new heights. I’m proud of accomplishing what we set out to do: bringing together the best games, Clubs and players, offering a life-changing prize pool and building the world’s largest esports festival. Congratulations to Team Falcons, who were rewarded for their competitive excellence and investment across many new games by becoming the first Esports World Cup Club Champion. I can’t wait to gather the best of the industry again for another epic EWC in 2025!”
Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasised the broader impact of the event, stating, “The Esports World Cup was a unique event that brought together the best players, teams, games, and fans in one location. In addition, the Esports World Cup is also a prime example that our investments and our willingness to build projects at this massive scale are primarily aimed to fulfill the passion of our youth for gaming and esports. We are focused on developing esports in Saudi Arabia and we are determined to obtain our vision of developing this sector into a fully functioning industry that tailors to the interests of our local population. Our aim is to become a global hub for gaming and esports; to elevate the sector, contribute meaningfully to its development, and shape its future on a global scale.”
The Kingdom’s commitment to the growth of its esports sector is evident in the success of the Esports World Cup, which has firmly established Saudi Arabia as a leading player in the global esports community. The event not only showcased the Kingdom’s potential but also paved the way for future developments in the esports industry, aligning with the broader goals of Vision 2030.
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